Ferdinand "Ferdie” Rach

Ferdinand “Ferdie” C. Rach, 91, of Fallowfield Twp. passed away on October 29th, 2019 peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Ferdie was born on July 16th, 1928 in Pittsburgh, the son of the late Ferdinand and Madeline (Klaus) Rach. Mr. Rach was a lifetime member of Saint Jerome Church (Mary mother of the Church Parish). He was a member of various Civic organizations including the Elks Club, the Lions Club and was a founding member of the local chapter of the Toastmasters. Mr. Rach began his education as a graduate of Saint Francis Preparatory school in Loretto Pennsylvania and attended Business school at both Saint Francis and Duquesne University.  Ferdie was also a graduate of Dale Carnegie where he developed his love for public speaking.  With his life size personality and spirited sense of humor, he was the life of the party and a joy to be around. As “serial entrepreneur’s”, Ferdie and Janis Rach began their business lives in their twenties with the purchase of Redd’s Beach, followed by Sunset Beach and Sunset Drive-in Theater. Then came multiple laundromats and real estate holdings. When Ferdie wasn’t tending to the businesses, he worked at various other endeavors, achieving great success. He was a certified Financial Advisor and was one of the original trailblazers in the birth of Mutual Funds in the 1960’s. His unshakable determination and work ethic helped him through many challenges along the way. He was an advisor and mentor to anyone he encountered, with an open mind and an open heart.

Mr. Rach is survived by his wife Janis (Angel) Rach, and five children, Judy, Janny, Jill, Jeff and Jim. Judith (Jack)Laughlin of Charleroi, Janis (Richard) Cope of Indiana, Dr. Jill RachBeisel and husband Daniel of Elliot City MD,  Jeffery (Sandra) Rach of Severna Park MD and James (Connie) Rach of Fallowfield Twp. Ferdie also leaves behind his brother John (Judith) Rach of Champion Pa, sisters, Madeline (Dennis) Fielding and twin sister Mary Rach of Tequesta, FL. Starting with his first grandchild, Jennifer Lynn Kemberling, he leaves behind 11 other grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was a loving and supportive Grandpa in every possible way.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Rach is preceded in death by his two brothers Joel and Leo, his son-in-law Jack Laughlin and his grandchild Michael Ferdinand Drawl.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to City Mission at citymission.org. Family and friends will be received Friday 11/1/2019 from 2 to 4pm & 6 to 8pm in the Schrock-Hogan Funeral Home, 226 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi, Pa 15022. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday 11/2/2019 at 12:00 p.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church, 7th & Washington Ave., Charleroi Pa. Friends are asked to go directly to the church for the funeral on Saturday. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schrock-hogan.com.        

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